Mike's Car Wash

Elmo and the Cookie Monster are hanging on
for dear life. Their chains, rattling in the wind-
scattered car exhaust and soap bubbles,
aren't as troubling as the look in their eyes
or how their smiles are somehow more fake
than when they left the factory. Maybe Mike thought
hanging stuffed creatures inside a car wash
would make it less frightening. Some children
clutch their tiny sides in laughter. But others
leave sweaty, outstretched handprints
and warm breath on the windows—
wanting to save their Sesame Street friends.
These kids can see Elmo's thousand-yard stare,
given to him from years of enduring
a twisted water-board-esque torture.
These kids watch the news with their parents
before spaghetti and garlic bread at 6 o'clock.
They see the same look on Arab prisoners
of war and terror. Have they seen death?
That quietness that comes with knowing.